Some people think quitting smoking is a matter of throwing away their tobacco and using their willpower to overcome cravings. There’s nothing wrong with using willpower to help you stop smoking. However, quitting doesn’t require superhuman strength–you can have an easier time quitting than you may think. There are a number of different approaches to take if you want to throw those cigarettes away for good. Read on.
If you want to quit smoking, join a support group. Talking to your peers will help you to find new techniques for fighting cravings, have emotional support and find new non-smoking friends. These people can support you through the hardest times with guidance, and coping tips. Support groups can be found in many places, even on the Internet, so take some time to research what’s available to you.
You should treat quitting smoking day-by-day. Quitting smoking is a long process. You can’t worry about the future. Focus on the present moment and tackle each day as it comes. All of those smoke-free days will soon add up to a smoke-free future.
When you feel the urge for a cigarette, set a certain amount of time that you will make yourself wait. Tell yourself you need to go for a walk first, or maybe that you need to drink a glass of water first. Sometimes, taking this time to let your mind think of other things will be enough to ward off thoughts of your taking a puff. You may decide not to smoke it at all.
Once you’ve decided to kick the smoking habit, tell your family and friends. They can help support you in your choice. This could be the nudge in the right direction you need to quit smoking.
Hypnosis might be something you should try if you desire to quit smoking. Seeing a licensed hypnotist can be effective and has proven successful for many people. The hypnotist can put you into a deep trance and provide you with positive affirmations that stay embedded in your mind. It can make cigarettes seem less appetizing, leading you to never want to smoke again.
Come up with your own personalized plan for quitting. Customize this list to your life and needs, in order to stop effectively. This can help to create a personalized formula to quit smoking. You need to do what works for you. This is easy to determine by writing your own list.
If you are attempting to stop smoking, make sure you get ample sleep. For most people, staying up late during the night gives them increased cigarette cravings. Later at night always seems to be the time nobody else is around, so sneaking in a cigarette is easier. Sleeping eight hours each night will make it easier to focus and control nicotine cravings.
While quitting smoking, rest as often as possible. For a lot of people, if you are up late, it will make you want to smoke. Late nights may also be tempting times to sneak a cigarette, especially if the rest of your house is asleep. Optimize your health and reduce your cravings by sleeping for at least eight hours per night.
If you have been unable to quit smoking with just willpower, add some nicotine substitutes and see if that works. Using these nicotine-providing OTC products in conjunction with your own personal willpower will fight off the rough symptoms of withdrawal.
To avoid experiencing weight gain after you quit smoking, eat a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables. People can gain weight when they quit smoking, so be mindful of what you put into your mouth, making these veggie snacks a great idea. It is normal for your body to crave food during the quitting process, and the best way to silent your cravings and stabilize your mood is to eat healthy snacks.
The first step in quitting cigarettes is to fully commit yourself to the endeavor before you figure out how you’re going to go about doing it. It is easy to fail in your attempt to quit if you don’t get properly motivated or give up too quickly. Help yourself stay motivated by remembering everything that caused you to want to quit, and write them down to help keep them on your mind.
Get the help of others. Seek encouragement from family and friends and make them aware that you’re trying to stop smoking and ask them to help you out. Also, try to reach out to a support group for advice and counseling. Simple discussions with other individuals who go through the things that you are going through will help you in stopping this unwanted habit.
Boost your capacity to deal with nicotine withdrawal, by using healthy methods of coping with its side effect of stress. Get some exercise when cravings hit, engage in a hobby or teach your partner to give a great massage. If you know you will have some free time, fill it with fun distractions like a new book or game or coffee with a friend.
Reward yourself for passing milestones on your journey. An example intermediate goal may be to go a week without having a smoke. When you do so, go out to see a new movie or play you’ve been meaning to watch. If you can quit for a month, treat yourself to dinner at the most delicious restaurant in town. Build up the rewards until you are completely free of cigarettes.
Giving up tobacco will benefit your loved ones, and yourself. Secondhand smoke can affect the health of anyone around you who come into constant contact with it. It will do well for the health of your entire household when you quit smoking. Quitting will make both you and those you love healthier.
Be sure your family and friends know you’re quitting smoking. They have your back and will help you keep your goal in sight. Studies have shown that employing a familial support system is one of best ways to stop smoking. This will boost your chances of finally being smoke free for life.
Each time you hit a landmark in your regimen to quit smoking, reward yourself. Write down a list of rewards you will allow yourself when you have stopped smoking for a day, a week and a month. For motivational reasons, make sure you have your reward chart somewhere it is easily seen by you. This could provide you assistance in staying motivated whenever you feel weak.
If you smoke at home, clean your place thoroughly, so it doesn’t smell of smoke. Get your carpet and upholstery professionally cleaned, remove residue from the walls, and run your drapes and curtains through the wash. Instead of smelling smoke when you come home, you’ll smell clean, fresh fragrances. This will reduce the temptation to smoke.
Use the Internet to find support. Participate in online support groups. You will find an abundance of websites created to assist people with their desire to stop smoking. It may be helpful to talk with other smokers about the different quitting techniques they have tried. Those who have already quit can best understand and support the journey you have undertaken.
Think about some important sub-goals, such as staying off cigarettes for a week, and decide on rewards for reaching those goals before you reach them. Keep a list of possible rewards you will give yourself when you make it a day without smoking, or a week, or a month, and so on. Make sure the list is in a place that you can easily refer to throughout the day. Rereading your list can help you stay motivated when you really feel like reaching for a cigarette.
Stay away from trigger activities or symptoms in which you would normally smoke. If you had morning coffee and a cigarette or went to happy hour and smoked, change your routine. Drink coffee while driving to work and avoid the bar to reduce cravings, as there will be many smokers in this area.
The Internet is a great place to receive online support from people who have dealt with similar issues. The Internet contains a variety of sites dedicated to assisting smokers cease their habit. You may find outside support beneficial to your efforts. You will find comfort in talking to people who are going through the same kind of struggles.
Your family and loved ones offer the greatest motivation for quitting. They can be affected by not only your possible illness or death, but also by negative health consequences from being around your smoke. Roughly twenty percent of Americans die from smoking-related causes. Do your best not to become a statistic.
Ideally, you should remove yourself from any situation that would otherwise incite you to start smoking. You need to change your routine if smoking is a regular part of your life. If you smoke while you drink your coffee or while have cocktails with friends, you may need to stop doing those things. For example, drink your coffee on your way to work and staying away from bars will reduce your cravings.
Make your goal to smoke not even one puff. While it might seem fine to smoke an occasional cigarette, just one single puff can undo all your hard work completely. Remember what you’ve already been through and just say no.
Quitting smoking is done not only for yourself, but also for your loved ones. The people who care about you want you to have a long, healthy life. One out of every five deaths can be tied to cigarettes! Do not allow yourself to become a statistic.
Don’t decide to quit “someday.” Do it today. Do not procrastinate and identify a start date a few months down the road; today is the perfect time to begin. If you quit this moment, you lower your risk of disease. Quitting smoking will also protect your family, as they are likely being exposed to dangerous secondhand smoke.
Make a N.O.P.E. (not one puff ever) resolution. While a quick puff during those intense cravings may not seem like a terrible idea, it can disrupt your entire strategy and set you back a long time. Resolve before you are even tempted to never again try “just one”.
Try to maximize exercise and lifting during the course of the day. You might be surprised by how much easier and more pleasurable exercise is now that you’re not smoking. If you engage in frequent physical activity, you will also be less likely to gain weight. Furthermore, exercise produces endorphins that help ameliorate some of the discomfort produced by withdrawal.
If you fail your first time quitting, try not to become discouraged. Sometimes, even the perfect plan will fail due to the circumstances. Try to learn something every time you fail. You may find that you conquer an almost identical situation with the right coping mechanisms in the future.
Always maintain a positive attitude when you are trying to quit smoking. Even the plans that are highly organized sometimes fail. You can learn from your mistakes and turn them into strengths. Next time you face a similar situation, you may be ready to succeed.
Speak with your physician about prescription drug solutions to help you kick the habit. There are many products on the market now available to help you quit for good. These options might be prescription or over-the-counter and many are quite new to the market, meaning you’re likely to find one that works for you. Ask your doctor for a recommendation to help you stop smoking once and for all.
When you are trying to quit smoking, eat plenty of nuts, vegetables and fruits. Paying attention to your diet and including low calorie, healthy foods will give you a boost in your quitting in a variety of ways. Having a replacement to make up for smoking can help, especially if you keep your mouth and hands busy. Regularly consuming these healthy foods can also help prevent weight gain. They’ll also boost your mood and help to rejuvenate your body.
Hopefully, this article has given you some great ideas on how you can succeed at quitting smoking. Although it may take awhile and you will still have cravings for cigarettes, the tips above will help you quit smoking more easily.
